How do I take care of Butterworts?

Butterworts are named for their relatively fat leaves.

Another common genus of carnivorous plants is Pinguicula, the butterworts. Commonly referred to as ‘pings’, butterworts catch insects with their broad, sticky leaves. Many species will grow different types of carnivorous or non-carnivorous leaves depending on season. Pings are found the world over, with most species occurring in Central and South America. Roots are virtually nonexistent, and serve to hold the plant in place. Very few nutrients are absorbed from the ground – instead, pings rely on their diet of bugs to provide much needed nutrients.

Pings appreciate bright light, and leaf color may fade in dimmer conditions. Don’t soak your pings, but don’t let them dry out completely either. Watering 1-2 times a week is typically enough. Mexican sundews, such as the ones we work with at Josh’s Frogs, do well on a mix of 1 part peat, 1 part vermiculite, and 3 parts perilite.